Some people call the earthworm “the gardener’s best friend.” Try this experiment to see how worms help gardeners and farmers.

What you need:
• 16- or 20-ounce plastic bottle
• Sheet of paper
• Tape
• Sand
• Moist soil
• 2 or 3 earthworms
• Rotted leaves or plants
• Spray bottle with water
• Black construction paper

What you do:
1. Rinse the bottle and let it dry.

2. Roll a piece of paper into the shape of a funnel and tape. Put the funnel in the opening of the bottle.

3. Fill the bottle with about 1 1/2 inches of sand.

4. Put about 1 1/2 inches of soil on top of the sand.

5. Continue adding layers of sand and soil until the bottle is almost full.

6. Put the worms in the bottle.

7. Cover the worms with a layer of rotted leaves or plants.

8. Mist the leaves with water.

9. Wrap the black paper around the bottle, and tape it in place.

10. Set the bottle in a cool, dark place and keep the soil moist. In a few days, remove the black paper “sleeve” and see how busy the worms have been.

What will happen?
The worms will eat their way through the sand and soil. In a few days, their movements will mix the layers.

The tunnels that the worms dig loosen the soil. This makes it easier for plants to grow. The earthworms also leave behind wastes, which plants use for food. Earthworms make the soil better for plants.